What your first visit is like
- No lectures. We are not here to comment on how long it has been.
- You set the pace, and you can stop at any point.
- A consultation where nothing is done to your teeth. We talk, we look, and you decide.
- Tell us what went wrong last time, and we will plan around it.
Take Our Complimentary 45-Second Smile Check
What Sedation Dentistry Is
Sedation dentistry uses carefully selected techniques to help patients relax during dental procedures. Depending on your needs, sedation can range from mild relaxation to deeper levels of calm, while still allowing you to remain responsive and comfortable.
Sedation is often used during longer procedures, complex treatments, or for patients who have difficulty sitting comfortably for extended periods. At Premier Dentistry, we tailor sedation options to each patient to ensure safety and comfort throughout treatment in Sacramento, CA.
Who May Benefit From Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry may be helpful for patients who experience dental anxiety, fear, or past negative dental experiences. It can also benefit individuals with sensitive gag reflexes, difficulty getting numb, or discomfort during dental visits.
Patients undergoing extensive or multiple procedures in one visit may also find sedation helpful. Our goal is to remove barriers to care and help patientsreceive the treatment they need without unnecessary stress.
Types Of Sedation Dentistry Options
Sedation dentistry can involve different levels of relaxation depending on the method used and the procedure being performed. At Premier Dentistry we offer inhaled sedation with nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation.
Oral sedation is a prescribed medication you take before your appointment, so you arrive already relaxed. IV sedation is delivered through a vein, so it takes effect quickly and the level of sedation can be adjusted throughout your visit — it is often the choice for longer appointments and for patients whose anxiety has kept them away from care. Oral and IV sedation are the two our patients choose most often, and with either one you will need someone to drive you home.
Each option is selected based on your medical history, anxiety level, and treatment plan. During your consultation, we explain how sedation works, what you can expect, and which option may be best suited for your needs in Sacramento, CA.
How Sedation Dentistry Improves The Dental Experience
Sedation dentistry helps patients feel more relaxed both physically and mentally during treatment. Many patients report reduced awareness of time, fewer sensations of discomfort, and an overall calmer experience.
By minimizing anxiety and tension, sedation can also help procedures move more smoothly and efficiently. At Premier Dentistry, this allows us to focus on delivering precise care while helping patients feel supported and comfortable.
Safety & Monitoring During Sedation
Patient safety is a top priority when providing sedation dentistry. Before treatment, we carefully review medical history, medications, and overall health to ensure sedation is appropriate.
During your appointment, we monitor vital signs and comfort levels throughout the procedure. Our team follows established protocols to maintain a safe, controlled environment for sedation dentistry in Sacramento, CA.
Sedation Dentistry For Complex Or Lengthy Procedures
Sedation dentistry is commonly used for procedures that may take longer or involve multiple steps, such as restorative treatments or surgical care. Sedation can make it easier for patients to remain comfortable during extended appointments.
This approach may also reduce the need for multiple visits by allowing more treatment to be completed in a single session. Our team works with patients to plan care that balances efficiency and comfort.
Preparing For A Sedation Dentistry Visit
Preparation for sedation dentistry depends on the type of sedation being used. Patients may receive specific instructions regarding eating, drinking, or arranging transportation after the appointment.
We provide clear guidance before your visit so you know exactly what to expect. Our team is available to answer questions and help patients feel prepared and confident ahead of treatment.
Sedation Dentistry Questions Sacramento Patients Ask
Straight answers, including the ones that are not sales pitches.
I have not been to a dentist in years and I am embarrassed. What happens if I come in?
You get an exam and a plan, not a lecture. Dental fear is close to universal — a 2025 national survey found roughly three quarters of American adults report some fear of going to the dentist, and about a quarter describe it as severe. Whatever is going on in your mouth, we have almost certainly seen it before. The first visit can be as simple as looking, talking, and deciding what order to do things in. Nothing has to happen that day.
What kinds of sedation does Premier Dentistry offer?
Three, from lightest to deepest: inhaled sedation with nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. Oral sedation is a prescribed medication taken before your appointment, so you arrive already relaxed and the visit passes easily. IV sedation is delivered through a vein, so it takes effect quickly and the depth can be adjusted throughout the appointment — it is generally the choice for longer treatment and for higher anxiety. Oral and IV are the two most patients choose.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Office-based dental sedation has a strong safety record, with serious adverse events reported in published studies at rates on the order of one to three per million cases — while noting those figures come from voluntary and closed-claim reporting and are likely undercounts. Safety comes from the process, not the drug: a thorough medical history, a review of every medication and supplement you take, continuous monitoring of your vitals throughout, and trained staff and emergency equipment in the room.
Will I be unconscious? Will I remember anything?
For oral and IV sedation, no — you remain conscious and able to respond, which is different from general anesthesia. Most people describe it as feeling deeply relaxed and detached, and many remember little or nothing afterward, though that varies from person to person and is not something we will promise you. “Sleep dentistry” is a common phrase for it, but you are not actually asleep; you are comfortable and responsive.
Can I drive myself home?
Not after oral or IV sedation. You will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day, and you should not drive, work, sign anything important, or be solely responsible for children until the next morning. Please arrange the ride before your appointment — it is the single most common reason a sedation visit has to be rescheduled at the door.
What does sedation cost, and does insurance cover it?
Sedation is billed separately from the dental treatment itself, which surprises people if nobody tells them. Nationally, nitrous typically runs roughly $50 to $150 per visit, oral sedation roughly $150 to $500, and IV sedation from several hundred dollars for the first hour with an added charge for each additional block of time. Dental insurance often does not cover sedation, or covers it only for specific procedures. Your written treatment plan shows the sedation fee as its own line.
Can I use sedation for a cleaning, or only for surgery?
For a cleaning too. Sedation is not reserved for oral surgery — for people whose anxiety, gag reflex, or past experiences have kept them out of a dental chair for years, sedation is often what makes routine care possible at all. It is also useful for long appointments, for difficulty getting numb, and for patients who cannot sit comfortably for extended periods.
How do I prepare for a sedation appointment?
You will get specific written instructions, and they matter. In general: follow the fasting instructions you are given, take your regular prescription medications only as directed, bring a complete list of everything you take including supplements, wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that move easily, arrange your ride, and plan a quiet rest of the day. Tell us about pregnancy, sleep apnea, heart or lung conditions, and any past reaction to sedation or anesthesia.
How long will the effects last?
The main effect wears off over the course of the appointment and the hour or two after, but grogginess, unsteadiness, and fuzzy memory commonly linger for the rest of the day, and some people feel not quite themselves into the evening. Plan on being out of commission for the day rather than heading back to the office. By the following morning most people feel completely normal.
Is sedation safe if I have health conditions or take medications?
Often yes, but it is exactly why the medical history is not a formality. Sleep apnea, heart and lung conditions, obesity, pregnancy, liver or kidney disease, and a number of common medications all affect which type of sedation is appropriate and at what dose — and occasionally the answer is that a hospital or surgical setting is the safer place. Bring the full list, including over-the-counter products and supplements, and let us make that call with complete information.
This information is educational and is not a substitute for an examination, diagnosis, or treatment plan from a licensed dentist. Individual results vary.
Sedation at Premier Dentistry is overseen by Dr. A. Scott Grivas III, DDS, who completed oral conscious sedation training and spent eight years as an intensive-care nurse before dental school — which is a large part of why medically complex and highly anxious patients are comfortable here.